This is the sixth straight day of coughing myself to death. It's just relentless.
Happy Birthday–December 18
Ty Cobb (1886)
Dick Coffman (1906)
Gino Cimoli (1929)
Moose Skowron (1930)
Zoilo Versalles (1939)
Steve Hovley (1944)
Drew Coble (1947)
Roy Howell (1953)
Jim Clancy (1955)
Scott Bailes (1961)
Willie Blair (1965)
Joe Randa (1969)
Jose Rodriguez (1974)
We would also like to wish a very happy birthday to cheaptoy.
December 18, 2011: Keb’ Lub’
I'm excited that the NBA season is about to save me from football. Alright, so hockey and the Premiership are both going on, but I'm (foolishly?) optimistic about these Wolves.
Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
This is as close to a star grab as you'll get out of me. Nevermind was released Sept. 24, 1991 - I was 11 years old. It was my first "rock" album and it was a cassette*. After one listen, I flipped it back over and played it again. After about 10 listens, I began to understand that if there was stuff like this out there, then the world was a much bigger place than I'd previously comprehended. As such (and I'm not prone to hyperbole) Nirvana changed my life. Thanks for listening...
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBUnRITsw1o
Live at the Paramount Theater - Seattle, WA - October 31, 1991.
*Remember those? I have a 10-year-old nephew who had never seen one before last week...I almost choked.
Twins Collectibles Spotlight: 2011 Topps Update Rene Tosoni
One particular Twins card from this year's Topps Update set is an eye catcher: Rene Tosoni in front of a back drop of St. Louis' Belgium's finest. Besides wanting to share this card with The Nation, I was also curious how closely we could get to identifying the exact play?
2011 Topps Update #177 Rene Tosoni
Spanning the Globe
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Escogido 7, Aguilas 6 in Escogido. Pedro Florimon was 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs for Escogido.
Cibao 8, Este 2 in Cibao. Alexi Casilla was 1-for-4 with a walk for Cibao. Wilkin Ramirez was 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI for Este.
MEXICAN LEAGUE
Mazatlan 4, Obregon 3 in Mazatlan. Anthony Slama gave up a hit in a third of an inning for Mazatlan.
PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE
Caguas 9, Carolina 2 in Caguas. Dereck Rodriguez was a substitute for Caguas and struck out in his only at-bat.
Mayaguez 13, Ponce 7 in Mayaguez. Daniel Ortiz was 1-for-5 with a double, two runs, and an RBI for Mayaguez. Eddie Rosario was 1-for-3 with two walks, a run, and an RBI for Mayaguez.
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
La Guaira 8, Anzoategui 4 in La Guaira. Lester Oliveros gave up a hit but no runs in two-thirds of an inning for Anzoategui.
Zulia 9, Aragua 1 in Aragua. Cesar Ciurcina allowed a run on two hits and a walk in one inning for Aragua.
AUSTRALIAN LEAGUE
Sydney 7, Canberra 0 in Sydney. Jacob Younis was 1-for-4 with an RBI for Sydney.
Adelaide 4, Brisbane 2 in Brisbane. Rory Rhodes was 1-for-4 with an RBI for Brisbane.
Happy Birthday–December 17
Cy Falkenberg (1879)
Ray Jablonski (1926)
Cal Ripken (1935)
Jerry Adair (1936)
Leo Cardenas (1938)
Bob Ojeda (1957)
Marvell Wynne (1959)
Curtis Pride (1968)
Alex Cintron (1978)
Chase Utley (1978)
December 17, 2011: Whoops
I've stayed up until 1am (at least) reading TV Tropes. AMR, did you suggest that? I'm simply lost there.
Atmosphere – You
The local hip-hop scene is quite prolific, with an ever-increasing number of artists. Atmosphere is at the top of my list mostly because of their melodies, accessibility and style. Imagine my surprise to find them performing in London while I was studying abroad there in 2009. Even more fortuitous, the club was 2 blocks from the student housing I was staying in!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRQQE6XfQAg
This Week in Twins Transactions
Jim Hoey was claimed off waivers by Toronto.
Jose Mijares was not tendered a contract.
Pedro Florimon was outrighted to Rochester.
Gene Glynn was named manager of Rochester.
Tom Brunansky was named batting coach of Rochester.
Stu Cliburn was named pitching coach of New Britain.
Rudy Hernandez was named coach for New Britain.
Ivan Arteaga was named pitching coach of Elizabethton.
Josh Willingham agrees to terms on a three year contract.